Many if not most people who get clean and sober discover that they have other problems and may have had them for a long time.

These problems go from depression to anxiety attacks and Bipolar Disorder 1,2,3,and 4. Only a psychiatrist can determine if or what problems you may have.

Read up on various anxiety disorders which also include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as well as Panic disorders. This may help you and make an appointment for some outside help if you need.

AA or sobriety is not a cure all for all kinds of diseases. It does help your life exponentally though.

I agree Simon. However, my symptoms are on the gradual decline. I feel difinitively that I am getting better. Whether or not that means a complete return to normalcy unscathed is an entirely different matter. I guess I was hoping for some insight on the length and duration of "PAWS", and the symptoms. Also on the duration of the, rebalancing of chemicals in the brain.

Thanks

I heard paws could occur up to a year after stopping drinking/using so I don't think that's it but I'm no expert. I still have some of these symptoms and so do most people I know. They sound like normal human feelings. Talking with other alcoholics at AA meetings can really help to calm anxiety and fears. I definately feel less irritable and moody when I go to meetings. You may want to look into some form of meditation or relaxation exercises. Good luck.

It took me fifteen years of being clean before I got help for my mood swings and other stuff. It just about killed me and I was clean. Turns out I have bipolar 2. All those years I drank I was self medicating and it never showed up till I stopped. I would suggest you get yourself checked out by a doc or psych. You don't have to suffer, don't be a martyr, it isn't worth it.

hi well done on your sobriety Ihave been sober a few yrs now ,but when i first came around i had all those symptoms I also did not take any tablets ect ,it took a while for all this to go but go it did .i used to get anxiety attacks at meetings ,but i just relized mine was fear ,i just use to say how i felt and i always felt better as was said try meditaion ,relaxcation classes they helped me .Iam no expert only passing on what i did may be it will help you God Luck it does get better xx

I too was a self-medicator. I ended up having a bipolar disorder. Maybe you should get a good physical. That might help relieve your fears about your health and the dr might be able to offer suggestions for your other symptoms.

Sabr.
I'd like to ask how long your symptoms persisted?

You have been clear that you want to do this without medication. I would still discuss it with a professional, we're not professionals. A Dr. might agree that you don't need medication, he might suggest a low dose if you do, but either way you should really speak to a professional.
I'm glad to hear that they have declined considerably, I'm just not in a position to say that they will eventually disappear completely, that's why I'm making this point.
Good Luck with whatever you do.

I diffinately know what your talking about. No meds for me, I was also a drug addict, so I was going to be TOTALLY clean. At 15 mos, I ended up on the Psych unit. I was suffering with PTSD, and MAJOR depression. By that time I was ready for any kind of help cuz I didn't want to relapse. AA couldn't help me with these type of problems. I'm like Simon and others said, once I removed the alcohol and other drugs that I was self-medicating myself with, then my real problems began to surface because I no longer had my crutch. The Big Book even states that there are those that need to seek outside professional help. Shoot even Bill W was depressed the 1st 22 yrs of his sobriety. As for the PAW symptoms, I still go through them after 15 1/2 yrs. Only they don't last as long and they get farther apart. Usually comes on right before my AA b'day.
At 14 mos, ya probably need to see a pdoc, at least to get an opinion. Then decide about the meds. ((hugs)) Love & Light be w/You, Shellie

I don't care what I go through. I don't care if I go crazy or die. I will never put myself on a regiment of drugs. I am well aware of the dangers of pharmacology and the indifference of Doctors when in comes to prescribing these most dangerous drugs. No more impurities for me. Even at the risk of suffering. This is the bed I have made for myself to lie in.

Often people with mental illnesses self medicate with alcohol. I was one of those people because of all the stress in my life;fulltime job, owning a house, single mother etc...I am bipolar and have been for 20 years in just the last few years I have come to realize I have a problem with alcohol. If you do have a mental illness you can get therapy but a course of medications would be wise too. Find a good doctor someone you can trust and a good counsellor also someone you can trust. Do sit in your bed because you made it and be miserable there are lots of people out there who are very competent to deal with your problems. Don't suffer in silence and keep posting to this board.

new to the site. definition of PAWS, please?

Mental illnesses, especially Bipolar Disorder, OCD, Anxiety and a few others. Waxes and wanes. It comes and goes in waves. Right now I am on a wax I guess. My Bipolar and OCD is getting worst. It has been for a while. Your anxiety must be getting better, I wouldn't be surprised if it left all together.

Just watch yourself over the years. Only time will know if it iever comes back.